SEP 13 09 – 8:05 AM –Those who are long-time fans of Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Food Shop in metropolitan Merrickville will be delighted to know that owner Janet Campbell and Sprucewood Handmade Cookie Co. are opening a new venture at 50 Centre St. in downtown Warkworth, southwest of Campellford. The store was launched in early July, but the official opening celebration is on Oct. 2 at 5 p.m.“I’ve been contemplating opening a second store for some time, and when Mark Pollard of Sprucewood came to me with the idea it seemed like a natural fit,” says Janet (photo, right), in a prepared statement.

“With this partnership and the support of other local Ontario producer/manufacturers like Perth Pepper and Pestle, Mercury Chocolates and Just Wing It Sauces, we hope to add Warkworth to the list of foodie destinations.”

The new venture is housed in the former, newly renovated Masonic Lodge, which is Sprucewood’s manufacturing outlet. Mrs. McGarrigle’s has the 800-square-foot storefront, which will feature many of the best-selling gourmet foods and kitchenware from the famous Merrickville store, with Sprucewood’s popular shortbreads and Mrs. McGarrigle’s ward-winning mustard as anchor products.

Sprucewood is known for its rich savoury and sweet shortbread cookies. Mark and Janet met three years ago when he made a sales call to her store. “She’s been a very generous mentor and she sells a pile of our products,” Mark says, in an article in Gourmet News online.

Although Janet wasn’t looking to add a second store 2 1/2 hours away from her home base in Merrickville, she says it was an easy decision because of her business relationship with Mark and his cookie company.

Mrs. McGarrigle’s sells an eclectic assortment of gourmet foods and kitchen gadgets, as well as offering cooking classes at 311 St. Lawrence St. She also makes award-winning mustards in the Merrickville kitchen.

Janet founded Mrs. McGarrigle’s in 1988, manufacturing condiments in the basement of one of Ottawa’s hostels after-hours. It has since moved to quarters in what was originally an 1888 general store, and has grown to become a unique epicurean destination in the National Capital area selling unique food-related products. Chefs from the Ottawa area as well as food writers and Ontario wine producers demonstrate their skills in Mrs. McGarrigle’s kitchen.

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La Tomatina comes to Murray Street

René Rodriguez’s acclaimed restaurant, Navarra at 93 Murray St. in the ByWard Market, will be hosting a five-course interactive dinner on Sept. 23 beginning at 7 p.m. inspired by our local tomato harvest. Recipes will be given and explained for each course. Cost is $85 per person, plus tax and tip, including wine pairings.

Never Heard of the La Tomatina? This is a one-of-kind annual event in Bunyol, Spain, about 25 km west of Valencia. Every year about 20,000 hooligans hit the streets for the largest tomato battle in the world. It happens on the last Wednesday of every August. The one-week festival includes music, fireworks, food and overall fun.

At Navarra, René will demonstrate his own ways of “getting wild with food” with an interactive dinner. The dinner will be accompanied by wine pairings selected by Sarah Swan. Call 613-241-5500.

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Charcuterie expert in Ottawa

Renowned charcuterie master chef Mario Pingue (photo, left) is in town this week for two exclusive dinners featuring his artisan meat products as part of the annual La Vendemmia celebrations in Little Italy.

Niagara Food Specialties is one of North America’s premiere producers of artisan charcuterie, the term applied to processed meats including such specialties at pâtés, rillettes, galantines, cured meat and sausages, for example. He makes an excellent prosciutto, and during these two intimate dinners Mario will share how secrets of the craft have been passed from father to sons.

Featured at the dinners will be Mario’s own prosciutto, cappicollo, pancetta, bresola, and guanciale, as well as Italian wines paired with each course.

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